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What's the best way to test pH for growing weed?

4

420peace

New member
I asked about the importance of pH when growing weed and I am now convinced incorrect pH really does cause nutrient deficiencies.

What's more, my plant right now has nutrient deficiencies I think might be at least partly caused by incorrect ph.

yellow leaves deficiencies .jpg


Nutrients: I'm giving General Hydroponics Flora Trio nutrients at half strength of what's on the bottles. I feel pretty sure the nutrients are good.

Ph: I've been using a General Hydroponics PH Test Kit that uses a vial, special drops, and a color chart to determine the ph. I'm in coco so I want 5.5-6.5 ph (soil growers want 6-7 ph). I'm really struggling with matching the color to know if my nutrient water is in range.

I'm considering getting a pH pen but I've heard they need to be calibrated all the time and can still be inaccurate sometimes. But the idea of a number on the screen seems intoxicating after dealing with the damn drops and comparing to a color chart.

Do you use a PH Pen, drops, strips, or something else to test ph?

How much a difference did it make for you?
 
There is no doubt that improper PH is one of the leading causes of MJ plant problems. PH is critical when growing in coco. Especially coco. Buy the best PH pen you can afford. Keep it calibrated. I use a BlueLab pen that is accurate and dependable. I calibrate it once a month. I have two reservoirs that use a BlueLab PH controller to maintain stable PH, they each get calibrated once a month because they have a monthly reminder built in. I have never had any problem with a pen reading accurately, lab test results, notwithstanding. Calibration takes about 5 minutes and is not a hassle at all. I have been using PH pens for years and have never had one read inaccurately. Or all of a sudden become unreliable. I can vouch for BlueLab equipment. If you decide on a pen, take a look at BlueLab. You won't go wrong. There are others that get good reviews as well.

If you think PH test strips would be easier, try them out and become skilled in their usage. Either way, test and monitor the PH. You plants will love you for it.
 
Ckbrew and chipmunk have recently posted several excellent comments on pH testing. They are experienced laboratory guys and their advice is worth following. Golfnrl is also correct.
Drops are a pain. I would venture that most of the growers use test strips or a pen. I use a cheap Vivosun pen (Yes. For $20 it will fail and need replacement). I also have test strips for back up. (It never hurts to occasionally check pen reading with strips when mixing your nutes).
I grow in 50/50 coco/perlite with half strength GH nutes snd CaliMagic, too.
Have used a pen since day 1 and run my pH 5.8 to 6.2., recalibrating a couple times/grow. I honesty have more bud than I will ever use. You'll be there soon!
 
The GH drops are next to useless. Use the strips:
Also, I believe you said you were not using calmag. Coco binds Ca+ and Mg+ ions making them not available to the plant. Therefore the binding sites need to be saturated so there is Ca+ and Mg+ available to the plant.
At the bottom of this page on the right are a list of quick links. Click on "growing basics" and read. Everything you need to know is there.
 
I do not find the General Hydroponics drops to be useless. There is a learning curve in that you have to judge when the color corresponds to the correct ph but I have been using the kit for a long time.. The best way is probably a get a very good ph tester. I only grow1-2 plants once a year so it’s not something I need. I get lots of weed using the drops and ph up and down fluids.
 
Can someone recommend a good brand of test strip? I bought some from Amazon and they show the same ph regardless of water source.
 
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